Sergei Zubov scored twice, including the game-winner with one-tenth of a second left in overtime, to lift the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

Mike Modano, playing in his 1,000th game, assisted on Zubov's third-period goal that drew the Stars even after Carolina got a late second-period goal from Bret Hedican.

With overtime about to expire, Zubov skated in from his defensive position and backhanded the rebound of Jason Arnott's shot between the right goal post and the right pad of Carolina goaltender Kevin Weekes for Zubov's eighth of the season.

In the third period, Zubov took Modano's pass, weaved down the left side, and faked three Hurricanes out of position before scoring from low in the left circle on a wrist shot with 13:51 left in regulation.

Dallas starting goalie Marty Turco, who took a franchise-tying, 14-game unbeaten streak into the game, was lifted after two periods due to a sprained ankle. He made 13 saves.

Turco appeared to twist his ankle when he hit a rut as he skated behind the Dallas net late in the second period. He was behind 1-0 when he left, but Zubov kept Turco's streak intact. Turco was replaced by Ron Tugnutt, who made two saves in the third period and four in overtime to earn the victory.

Turco was 10-0-4 in his previous 14 games to tie Don Beaupre's franchise record set in 1985-86. Beaupre earned 14 consecutive victories for the Minnesota North Stars.

Weekes made 31 stops for the Hurricanes, who've lost their last six and are 2-16-1-3 in their last 22.

Modano became the 32nd NHL player to play 1,000 games with the same team. He received a standing ovation when the team showed a clip of his career highlights on the scoreboard during a break in the first period.

Dallas is unbeaten in its last seven games (6-0-1) and is off to a franchise-best 19-2-4-2 home start.

Hedican put Carolina in front with his third at 18:58 of the second period on a shot from beyond the left circle that got past Turco, who was screened by Jeff Daniels of the Hurricanes.

Notes:@ RW Jere Lehtinen and LW Pierre Turgeon were Stars scratches due to hip injuries. ... Dallas' Aaron Downey and Carolina's Jesse Boulerice squared off in the first period in a matchup of enforcers, but the heavyweight bout didn't last long as Downey knocked Boulerice down with one punch to the chin. A woozy Boulerice went to the locker room to have a cut inside his mouth treated. He didn't return. ... Daniels played in his 400th game. ... Carolina RW Jaroslav Svoboda incurred a back injury in the second period and did not return.

The Dallas Morning News

February 12, 2003, Wednesday

Zubov wins it for Stars with half a second left in OT

BYLINE: By Chuck Carlton

SECTION: SPORTS

DALLAS _ Even Sergei Zubov had to rush this shot.

The most patient of Dallas Stars defenseman beat the clock and the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring with 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime for a 2-1 Stars victory Tuesday.

It was only the sixth time since the five-minute overtime was instituted in 1983 that a team has won in the final second.

The Stars even managed to survive the loss of starting goaltender Marty Turco with what coach Dave Tippett described as a "minor ankle injury." Tippett said Turco would be evaluated again Thursday. His status for Friday's game with Anaheim is uncertain.

To most teams, the game-winning goal would be a moment to remember. For the Stars, it's business as usual.

"You have to find a way to win the game," Zubov said. "That's what we've been proving for the last couple of months."

The Stars (33-11-12-1) are now 6-6-3-1 when trailing after two periods. No team in NHL history ever compiled better than a .500 record when trailing after two periods.

"It's a testament to the skill level we have," goaltender Ron Tugnutt said. "We have a lot of weapons, and somebody finds a way to put the puck in the net."

The victory kept the Stars unbeaten in their past seven games. They have lost just once in their past 20.

In a game that featured a milestone 1,000th game for Mike Modano and a one-punch knockout for enforcer Aaron Downey, Zubov's two goals were studies in contrast.

On the tying goal in the third period, he took a pass at the point from Modano, faked and weaved through the Hurricanes defense before scoring from 15 feet.

All the time, he said he was looking to pass back to Modano, who was covered.

At the other end of the ice, Tugnutt supplied his own play-by-play. In practice, Tugnutt has marveled at Zubov's hard shot. He had to wait to see it.

"On his first goal, it was 'Just shoot the puck, Zubie. OK enough, Zubie. You've scared them all away, now shoot it. No. OK, wait a couple more. Shoot it Zubie. Oh, good you scored,'" Tugnutt said.

Zubov's second goal was a bit more hurried. On a last-ditch rush up ice, defenseman Philippe Boucher managed to get the puck out front.

Zubov lofted his shot past goaltender Kevin Weekes.

"I saw the puck laying down there," Zubov said. "I had half a second maybe, so I was just trying to put it in the net."

Tugnutt got the win. Turco, injured when he fell playing a puck behind the net in the second period, retained his 14-game unbeaten streak.

Modano became the 32nd player in NHL history to play his first 1,000 games with one team and the second American-born player to accomplish the feat. He joins Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers.

In his seventh fight as a Star, Downey leveled Carolina tough guy Jesse Boulerice with a left cross. After a few uneasy seconds, Boulerice threw the first punch, a wild right hook. Downey dodged the blow and caught Boulerice flush on the jaw.

"A Joe Frazier classic," said Downey, who was upset to learn of Boulerice's possible concussion.

The Hurricane right wing went down and had to be helped to his feet by two teammates. He was later taken to a hospital for examination.

ABC News Transcripts

February 12, 2003 Wednesday

SHOW: WORLD NEWS THIS MORNING (04:30 AM ET) - ABC

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

LIZ CHO, ABC NEWS

(Off Camera) Now turning to sports, there is a lot happening on the hard courts and the ice. Here's ESPN.

PAT BOYLE, ESPN

(Off Camera) Thanks and welcome to ESPN News. I am Pat Boyle. Great finishes galore on Tuesday night. First stop is Minneapolis.

PAT BOYLE (CONTINUED)

(Voice Over) Mavs taking on the T-wolves, pick it up for you in the fourth quarter, Mavs down a point. Steve Nash to Dirk Nowitzki, knocks down the jumper, Mavs take a one point lead. Later in the fourth, Dirk looking for Raef LaFrentz and he got him. Mavs building their lead to three. Less than a minute and a half in regulation. Wolves down three, Kevin Garnett, little finger role here, plus the foul. 26 and 12 for KG. 40th double double on the year, he made the freebie, tying the game at 98. Seven seconds to go, T-wolves ball, Troy Hudson and Garnett, but Eduardo Najera knocks it out of bounds. So Minnie's ball with 1.6 seconds left, game tied at 98. Wally Szczerbiak, 21 points and the game winner. They win it 100-98.

PAT BOYLE (CONTINUED)

(Voice Over) Jazz and Rockets going at it. Late in the fourth quarter, John Stockton grabbing his own rebound and nice dish to Greg Ostertag. Stockton, 11 dimes in this one. Jazz down three. 1:19 to go. Stockton, getting it done himself this time. Going baseline and one. He made the free throw, we're tied at 91. 3.5 seconds left, Matt Harping bring out the inbounds play. Nailing the three ball, he had 24 and we're going to overtime. In the extra session, Rockets, Cuttino Mobley cannot hit the runner in the lane as they're down by two. The Jazz win it 103-101.

PAT BOYLE (CONTINUED)

(Voice Over) How about the Nuggets and the Lakers? Third quarter, after a free throw, Robert Horry ahead baseball pass to Kobe Bryant and check it out. Kobe Bryant with 42 points and one of the prettiest dunks of the year. The Lakers win it big, 121-93.

PAT BOYLE (CONTINUED)

(Voice Over) On the ice, the Hurricanes and the Stars, first period play stops and welcome to fight club. Jesse Boulerice and Aaron Downey facing off. Boulerice misses on the haymaker and Downey lays him out. We go to overtime. 1-1, Sergei Zubov is going to get one through with just a 10th of a second left on the clock. Dallas wins in dramatic fashion 2-1 in overtime.

PAT BOYLE (CONTINUED)

(Off Camera) That will do it for us. I'm Pat Boyle. Now back to ABC's "World News This Morning."

LIZ CHO

(Off Camera) And there is more news just ahead. Stay with us.

graphics: Dog Show

ANNOUNCER

This portion of the news brought to you by . . . We'll be right back with more news on this Wednesday morning, February 12th.

The Boston Globe

February 16, 2003, Sunday ,THIRD EDITION

BYLINE: BY KEVIN PAUL DUPONT

SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. F7

Bruins short-timer Aaron "Diesel" Downey made a splash across Canada last week when he dropped fellow toughie Jesse Boulerice with a one-punch knockdown that sent the 'Canes winger to the injured reserve list with a severe concussion. Boulerice, in his junior days, received 90 days' probation for aggravated assault with his stick. Downey's KO punch was played on a near-endless loop on Canadian TV. "I'm coming through the league, and I'm the real deal," Downey, now with the Dallas Stars, told CP. In his three years with the Baby Bruins, Downey, now 28, amassed 1,029 penalty minutes. No question he can punch. Problem is, come playoff time, the punchers are pointless . . .